President Vladimir Putin praised ties between the Russian and Chinese militaries, underscoring Moscow and Beijing’s strategic relationship as he met with China’s defense minister on Sunday.
Putin, who held talks with Li Shangfu, highlighted the exchange of intelligence as well as joint maneuvers in the Far East and Europe, the Interfax news service reported him as saying.
Beijing has become Russia’s biggest supporter since the invasion of Ukraine last year and the visit is the first by a Chinese defense minister since the war began. At the meeting with Putin, Li said it was his first foreign trip since he was appointed, and was a sign of the strength of the countries’ ties, according to Interfax.
